Keep it safe on bonfire night

Nov 4 2008

The bonfire arranged for the Showpark, East Kilbride tomorrow night has regrettably had to be cancelled for health and safety reasons.

However, there are plenty of other exciting events to help you enjoy one of the most exciting and enjoyable celebrations of the year.

This year's free fireworks display at Strathclyde Park gets underway at 6pm. Run by both North and South Lanarkshire Council, the event includes the funfair, hot food and live music (in association with Real Radio).

The bonfire itself will be lit at 7.30pm with the 30-minute fireworks show beginning at 8.20pm.

Or if that sounds a bit too busy then why not head over to Chatelherault Country Park from 6pm onwards and view the surrounding fireworks displays from this ever-popular vantage point. Themed snacks will also be available at the cafe.

However, if you are having fireworks in your garden, remember to stay safe and follow all the guidelines on the packaging. All too often injuries and even death can be avoided by reading the instructions and safety tips.

In order to reduce the number of casualties, the government has passed legislation to ensure that fireworks are not supplied to children and that those selling fireworks are registered to do so.

The new legislation makes it an offence:

For anyone under 18 to possess fireworks in a public place
For retailers to supply fireworks to any person under 18
For fireworks to be supplied by traders who are not registered or licensed for their storage
To set fireworks off in a public place
To supply aerial shells, aerial maroons, bangers, mini rockets, air bombs or other fireworks which produce sound pressure exceeding 120 decibels

And to make sure you have a fun and safe bonfire night, the council's bonfire squad is on hand to help prevent any bonfire or firework display mishaps. Teams are available to dismantle and remove potentially dangerous bonfires situated on council owned land until Wednesday 5 November. Anyone with information about the location of such bonfires can contact the 24-hour free hotline number - 0800 24 20 24

The council hopes everyone will make the most of Bonfire Night and have a safe and fun evening.